The National tribune., 1887-12-29

rllaiued their trims across the Potomac, and
i learned that il was only the favored few
who were in the service Of the Confederate
Government that were permitted to travel
back. I knew very well that I could offer
no satisfactory reasons for going North, and
that the attempt TO do so would probably
lead to my arrest, or at least put me under
some scrutiny that could not help but work
disastrOusly TO me.
was conveniently sick for day or two
while / was studiously perfecting my plans,
for the sight of the Railroad Superintendent
had thoroughly scared me.
1t was not exactly safe either for me to be
running about the streets of Richmond while
such dangerous animals as these Manassas ieI-
lows were at large.
One evening. shortly after Eltton and the
Colonel had been telling me Of their success IN
GETTING THEIR REFUGEE SQUAD
into q battery, when the Colonel ana were
alone he told me in the greatest confidence
that Fikton. who had been almost a daily visitor
at the War Office looking after his commission,
had learned on direct authority that the
army under Johnston and Beauregard Will
very soon advance, and we must get IN at once +;
because" he added IN great glee and with
significant emphasis, as he tapped me familiarity
on the shoulder as he uttered each word, " the
plan is to march into Maryland and capture
Washington and relieve Baltimore"
This was the most interesting bit OF news
that had heard for some weeks, and 1t set my
nerves up to high tension. Eager TO learn
more. / questioned the voluble and conhding
Colonel, who was eager enough to talk
"0h, know it's true, my boy. tell you
truly that before very long we viii march
right into that portion Of Maryland from which
you came.
Twas further encouraged to 60 right in now.
The Colonel said:
"Why. my dear boy, we viii all soon march
home TO Maryland, my Maryland and be re-
ceived by our friends in our gray uniforms"
confess this last part of the program rather
stumped me- / was not particularly desirous
that any Of my friends should receive me IN
the gray uniform. Lshared his enthusiasm in
one respect, which was that it would be glori-
Gus to be doing something once more, and l
even hoped they would move into Maryland,
as that would serve TO stir up Mcclellan aud
the North. ] saw in this proposed advance
into Maryland a good chance TO again safely 90
through Beauregards army, which / was will
ing TO risk in this shape if By so doing could
learn OF any proposed movement Of the rebels
on 70 Washington, knowing very well that once
Up that country ia a rebel uniform, could
SAFELY advance into Maryland some hours and
perhaps days before the rebel army. so that our
friends could be prepared 10 suitably receive
their distinguished military visitors and enter
tain them in the proper form when they should
arrive.
The Colonel went out to the bar to take a
drink I sat down and wrote another cipher
letter, in the same key that had used in the
former. The information which it conveyed
70 nv Northern correspondent was to this
effect, as each fifth word read:
PROPOSED ADVANCE NORTH VIA POTOMAC.
This was short and TO the point, because
had not time 10 cipher out F" a long dispatch
as / wanted to get this through quickly. NTH
this IN my hand I Joined the Colonel down
stairs. and together We walked again to Col. J.
B. gones's Office.
IN venturing out was careful TO ascertain
by a cautious inspection of the groups always
loafng ab0ut the hotel that my Superintendent
from Manassas was not among them
Being assured Of this each time, ] cautiously
inspected the register and at a favorable Op-
portunity remarked to the gentiemanly clerk
as il / were surprised aud delighted at the
discovery:
Why, is Mr. Superintendent here!"
The Richmond hotel clerks are like all theii
class, and when ] attracted his attention he
turned 10 C0loreQ boy and said:
Show this gentleman up to 62.'
"Oh, no. never mind; I'll not disturb hin
tonight; IL see him again.
I didn't ask any further questions.
The next morning was greatly relieved t
learn from porter that the Superintendent had
gone or on de early cabs sab"
and / called on Col Jones with MY letter.
remember this from the fact that the genia
Colonel was preparing to close his Office for thG
night, but be kindly took charge Of my opel
letter, and without word Of question placed
it IN a pigeon hole, in which were quite mum
Der Of other sealed letters.
] asked, with an assumed expression Of deeI
interest and anxiety IN my manner, if ia.
Colonel had any letters for me.
Nothing al al undelivered." he said, as b.
politely expressed has regret at having to dis
appoint me. ! felt SO sorry, t0o and with
sigh Of regret and q hope for better luck mex
time, ba6e the Colonel good night.
This information Of the threatened invasiol
of Maryland and the capture or Washington
and Baltimore, had apparently put new an'
fresh blood into my veins. / felt that / mus
find out oil about il, because / was IN Rich
mGnd for that purpose, and if / failed Or per
mitted SO important an event to be pIIuned an,
put in operation right under my owLl-eyes, !
would prove pretty c0nclusively that as a spy 0
scout ] was not reliable, and / could not afor
70 fail ia this important matter.
So told the Colonel that ! was most anxiou
20 90 with him and ElktOD 10 Maryland Is
rebel soldier.
While trey were arranging the details wit
the War Once and some Of the other Marylan
refugees Hith whom We were to be consolidated
put IN my time securing every avenue OF IL
formation that ] could think Of for con6rmatio
Of the reported plan to advance. ] was NOR
deeply interested IN this than / can egplaif
because as viii be remembefed. I had aIread
advised our Government that an advance va
impossible On account Of SO much sickness an
general Lax y Of discipline.
il was BOW about the lst Of October. and dul
ing tne time that had elapsed the condition ,
afairs at 4ianassas bad changed very much
course. Tie rebel army had been sick. but ha
now EuilCieuuy recovered, and was in goo
shape for 2n offensive movement
TIE CONFEDERATE AUTHORITIES At RIcE
E0ED
were fully posted Oh ali that was being done
Washington. / am not sure that there was not
daily mail from the North. / wanted very niue
indeed 10 learn something about this system
Communication. but ! was always afraid To me
die too much about il while ! was in Ricimon
lest ] should get picked up By some Of q
knowing ones among the spies and sympafbize
who were even IN the employ Of our own Go
ernmeBt.
! usually stopped each morning at a new
paper Office Ia Main street 10 read their dali
which was pasted on fiie outside Of their o
fee. There was usually quite a crowd sio1
the Office early in the day. bee4use paper "
already becoming scarce y. Kebeldon and
daily paper was toe expensive a luxury
every ees 70 enjoy. especially in nay cirenl
stances. / found, too, while standing about
The crowds that i could oyeThear a great dc
Of comment o. the news that was more sat
factory 70 me, rs spy, than the news th
the paper contained.
The Richmond press regularly quoted {
principal New York papers Of only day or
preceding. and especially all Of the unfayoI
bic criticisms Of Union military officers, a